Sonoma County – Page 2 – Cristaldi & Co

2024

Dry Creek Vineyard

Fumé Blanc

Entirely fermented and aged in stainless steel, this wine bursts with vibrant tropical fruit notes of lychee and white peach, underpinned by a flinty minerality. Crisp, crunchy, and racy acidity drives the palate, leading to a bright, chalky mineral finish. Established in 1972, Dry Creek Vineyard is led by second-generation owner & President Kim Stare Wallace and oversees 185 acres of sustainably farmed vineyards.

White

2024

Ferrari-Carano

Chardonnay

The Chardonnay is barrel fermented and aged 10 months sur lie in 20% new French oak. Grapes are sourced from 60 different lots across Sonoma County. For the past decade, the wines at Ferrari-Carano have been made by winemaker Natalie West. There’s a lavish aromatic pop of rich, toasty, graham-cracker sweet oak that carries straight onto the palate, where the wine shows super-expressive character—lemon curd, lemon meringue, grilled pineapple. Despite all that richness, the wine stays balanced thanks to a vein of salinity that brings real freshness. The oak is beautifully integrated: never cloying, just vivid and tasty. You have to love this style to love this wine—and if you do, at $27 it’s a terrific value.

White

2024

Ferrari-Carano

Dry Sangiovese Rosé

The fruit for this rosé goes directly to press—it’s made intentionally as rosé from all estate-grown fruit. It’s a fine, tasty wine featuring mixed red-berry notes, a touch of sea spray, and hints of crushed wild thyme and rosemary. White peach, apricot, and a honeysuckle lift round out the palate, leading to a lengthy, crisp, acid-driven finish.

Rosé

2024

Monroy

Kick Ranch Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc

This Sauvignon Blanc shows a richer profile, with toasty oak and vanilla mingling with yellow apple and lemon curd—almost more of a Chardonnay-like nose, which some people will love. On the palate, it’s laser-focused and racy, with a nice breadth of texture and juicy orchard fruit structure. Barrel aging included 12% new Saury oak, 16% used, and 72% stainless steel, along with seven months of lees stirring, all of which contribute to the wine’s flattering richness. Adolfo Hernandez explained his background and winemaking style to me as follows: “I was the enologist and then assistant winemaker at Eisele Vineyard, splitting my time—two years each—between the Araujos and Château Latour. From there, I spent a year with Martha McClellan at Checkerboard, where we also made her gorgeous Levy & McClellan wines. In 2017, I started as associate winemaker at Benovia in the Russian River Valley with Mike Sullivan, where I’m happily still working today.”

White

2024

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

Sauvignon Blanc

A tropical-fruited, zesty Sauvignon Blanc with crisp orchard fruit aromas leading into a palate of luscious pear and underripe pineapple. The texture is creamy yet vibrant, finishing with a clean, mineral edge. Sourced from both estate and grower vineyards, the fruit is pressed and the juice fermented slowly in stainless steel tanks, with a small portion aged in acacia barrels. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards has been in operation for more than five decades, now farming over 400 acres of estate vineyards.

White

2024

The Setting Wines

Sauvignon Blanc

From a hillside site in Alexander Valley and planted to 50% Musqué and 50% Sauvignon Blanc clones. This Sauvignon Blanc shows a heady richness, driven in part by barrels with Acacia heads, which—when toasted correctly—bring gorgeous florality and minerality. The wine expands across the palate with fleshy pear and apricot, carried by a rich, saline-acid tension that fuels both texture and focused length. It’s an opulent wine with precision and lift. In short, ultra-delicious. This wine was aged 6 months in 40% new French oak.

White

2024

Williams Selyem and Benovia Winery

Lot #40. 'Terra Rossa' Cohn Vineyard Pinot Noir

TASTING NOTE: Lot #40. Barrel Sample: When Williams Selyem and Benovia appear on the same label, you don’t even taste the wine—you just buy it. I told myself I wouldn’t taste it, knowing it would be too good to handle. Okay, that’s not true. I tasted it. Like five times. Just to be sure I liked it. I did and so will you. Super bright and zesty, with red earth minerality, vibrant red berry fruit, floral tones, and rich baking spice. Notes of grapefruit zest and blood orange add lift, while dark forest berry, underbrush, and saline mineral tension bring depth and structure. From the Auction Lot Catalog: ABOUT THE WINE: This is a first-time collaboration between two incredible winemakers, Jeff Mangahas and Mike Sullivan. This Pinot Noir comes from the Cohn Vineyard nestled in the hills and forest above Westside Road. It is one of the few heritage vineyards remaining in Sonoma County, initially planted in 1970. Cohn Vineyard was first produced as a single vineyard designate Pinot Noir back in 1987 by Burt Williams at Williams Selyem. With sweeping views of the Russian River Valley, Cohn Vineyard is notable for its ruddy, iron-rich soil, sometimes called “Terra Rossa.” Farmed sustainably and with minimal irrigation, these gnarled vines produce small and compact clusters with yields of just over 1 ton per acre. Benovia Winery is a small production family-owned winery in the heart of Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley. Burt Williams and Ed Selyem started their winery, in the Russian River Valley with two lofty goals: to craft wines that set the standard for excellence, and to come to know and serve their customers personally. The depth of knowledge that both wineries bring to making exceptional Pinot Noir in this part of the world is a real treat for the winning bidder of this lot. “Terra Rossa” is a wine of depth and complexity. Brooding and dark, notes of black cherry combine with blood orange and hints of sous bois. Wood spices perfectly complement the dark fruit character. With great acidity and structure, the wine is buffered with terrific extract that provides balance. Dark fruits, citrus, and notes of cedar wrap up with flavors of black tea. WINEMAKER(S): Jeff Mangahas (Williams Selyem), Mike Sullivan (Benovia Winery) ESTIMATED BOTTLING DATE: March 2026 (Available in bottle or keg format) ESTIMATED SHIPPING DATE: March 2026 National Distribution: AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY, Washington, DC International Distribution: Includes Denmark, Japan, Norway; please inquire for additional countries.

Red

NV

Piper Sonoma

Brut

Vivacious, with lively and lovely green apple aromas and flavors, and impressive length for the asking price. With Méthode Traditionnelle production and 7% aged reserve added, this sparkler is an easy and affordable way to upscale your weekday sipping. – J.R.

Rosé

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2023

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Fragrant lemon zest rises from the glass, nuanced by stony minerality and buttered croissant. Medium-bodied, it offers a wealth of creamy apricot and lemon biscuit flavors, with hints of quince paste and lively lemon-acid tension. Planted in 1999, Fisher’s Mountain Estate Vineyard Chardonnay is rooted in steep, rocky soils at 1,300 feet of elevation. Native fermented and aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (28% new). No sulfites were added at harvest or during aging. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Founded in 1973 by Fred and Juelle Fisher, this second-generation family winery sources from estate vineyards in Sonoma County and Napa Valley.

White

2023

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This 100% Chardonnay was barrel-aged for 18 months in French oak (12.5% new) on primary lees, with native malolactic fermentation. Ripe orchard fruit builds in the glass, followed by apple and pear pastry, white flowers, and wildflower honey. Medium-bodied, the wine gains richness with layers of lemon and tangerine oil, balanced by zippy, almost prickly citrus acidity that keeps everything lifted even as the oily fruit deepens in weight. It’s a meal unto itself. Founded in 1973 by Fred and Juelle Fisher, this second-generation family winery sources from estate vineyards in Sonoma County and Napa Valley.

White

2023

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Supercharged and nicely concentrated, this is a powerhouse Chardonnay with loads of crushable appeal. Medium- to full-bodied, it’s not shy on oak, yet it comes across soft and generous, offering slightly toasty, buttered croissant flavors layered with lemon cream and hints of ginger spice. Full and expansive, with racy acidity and plenty of charred pineapple to make it feel festive. It’s a fun, energetic wine with remarkable depth of flavor balanced by a brightness that’s hard to describe—you simply have to grab a bottle and see for yourself. First planted in 1973 to Old Wente clone Chardonnay, Whitney’s Vineyard sits at 1,000 feet of elevation on a gravelly, gently sloping, southwest-facing hillside. Aged for 16 months in French oak barrels (45% new). No sulfites were added at harvest or during aging. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. Founded in 1973 by Fred and Juelle Fisher, this second-generation family winery sources from estate vineyards in Sonoma County and Napa Valley.

White

2023

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In 2023, Francis Ford Coppola can’t miss—the wines are pure, exciting, and elegantly textured. This Director’s Cut Sonoma Cabernet frames a beautiful mix of red berry fruit with blue-fruited nuances, cedarwood accents, and burly tannins dusted with unsweetened cocoa powder. A burst of blood orange acidity brightens the finish, adding lift and freshness. A great vintage to buy and enjoy with hearty fare or aged cheeses. Aged for 14 months in 45% new oak.

Red

2023

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Kokomo’s Cabernet Sauvignon was aged for 11 months in 20% new French oak. It delivers a fine, classic expression of the variety, leading with blackberry and black cherry layered over graphite minerality and elegant oak spice. Balanced and expressive, with a medium- to full-bodied profile that feels polished and complete. Well done—a solid showing. Owner and Winemaker Erik Miller founded Kokomo Winery in 2004 (named after his hometown of Kokomo, Indiana). Miller partnered with fourth generation grower Randy Peters to craft wines from the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valleys.

Red

2023

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A toasty, lemony Chardonnay with a vibrant core of lemon curd, vanilla buttercream, and toasty oak carrying through the full-bodied finish. Picked in the cool early morning hours, the grapes are immediately pressed and fermented in separate lots in French oak barrels. Bâtonnage during aging no doubt contributed to its complexity and rich, luxurious mouthfeel. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards has been in operation for more than five decades, now farming over 400 acres of estate vineyards.

White

2023

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Sourced from the cooler parts of Sonoma County, including Carneros and the Russian River Valley, the lots for this Pinot Noir were fermented separately after a 5- to 10-day cold soak, then transferred to French oak barrels for natural malolactic fermentation and aging before bottling. The resulting wine is stylish, well-crafted, and packed with flavor—red cherry, spiced plum, clove, and allspice—wrapped around a creamy core that holds firm to crisp tannins, building toward a long, satisfying finish. St. Francis Winery & Vineyards has been in operation for more than five decades, now farming over 400 acres of estate vineyards.

Red

2023

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Name

This Chardonnay was aged for 11 months in 30% new French oak. It’s wonderfully fragrant, warm-spiced, and built around a luscious core of ripe orchard fruit, sharpened by salted citrus peel, ginger, allspice, and touches of dried apple and apricot, with French pastry notes carrying through a lengthy, zesty finish. TEXTBOOK was founded by Jonathan and Susan Pey , who brought in Winemaker Abigail Estrada. Estrada leans on global expertise from stints in Italy, New Zealand, Israel, and Napa Valley estates such as Markham, Domaine Chandon, and Robert Mondavi. She crafts these wines by keeping lots separate, tasting continuously throughout the year, and integrating components to achieve TEXTBOOK’s house style.

White

2023

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This is a wine you’ll have a hard time putting down. Layered and savory, it’s expressive with bright cherry fruit, apple blossom, rose petal, and mild Indian spice. Supple, round, and generous, it’s beautifully balanced by sinewy tannins that carry a subtle toasted almond character. The mid-palate shows pleasing density and ripe fruit weight, finishing strong with citrusy, tangerine-like acidity that hits the sweet spot—neither harsh nor crunchy. Simply a gorgeous wine. The Cuvée Eva Marie Pinot Noir is crafted from more than 60 lots each year, with the Three Sticks team selecting the very best barrels from Pinot Noir clones 115, 667, 828, 943, Calera, and Swan. The final blend is aged for 15 months in 100% French oak, 55% new, with just 212 cases produced. Three Sticks Wines is a boutique, family-owned winery recognized for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Proprietor Bill Price III (nicknamed “Billy Three Sticks”) owns six vineyards in Sonoma County (including three Heritage vineyards: Durell, Gap’s Crown, and Walala).

Red

2023

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This 100% Pinot Noir is sourced from Cohn Vineyard and was aged for 16 months in 58% new French oak and 42% one-year-old barrels. Cohn Vineyard sits off Westside Road, is owned by Benovia, and is one of the oldest Pinot Noir sites in the region—planted in 1970. Jeff Mangahas notes he isn’t entirely sure of the clonal mix, but he loves the texture the vineyard gives. The vines grow in gravelly, red decomposed soil with iron-rich deposits and are surrounded by redwoods—and all of that comes through vividly in the wine. This is a terroir-driven bottling with wonderful savory redwood-bark notes, gravelly minerality and beautifully lush, vibrant red-fruit character that carries through an extended mineral finish. What a wine.

Red

2024

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The 2024 is electric and vibrant, with incredible tension and length. It’s one of my favorite wines from Jesse Katz since I began tasting his lineup, and it’s hands down the best barrel-fermented white he’s made. Pretty beeswax notes and white flowers open the nose, followed by a squeeze of lime and bright, crunchy apple richness. Stony minerality drives the lengthy finish. Super dynamic. I want to drink this all holiday season while prepping big meals — this is my mise-en-place wine. This white was sourced entirely from estate fruit pulled from some of Aperture’s coolest sites, including plantings of d’Yquem clones, and includes 18% Semillon (all barrel-fermented) from the Dry Stack Vineyard — the highest proportion since the first vintage of their Sauvignon Blanc in 2016. While a small portion was fermented in cement, the 2023 was primarily barrel-fermented, including lots aged in Haut-Brion barrels with Acacia-wood toasted heads.

White

2024

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Partially fermented in French oak and stainless steel, the wine underwent full malolactic fermentation and spent eight months aging in 30% new French oak prior to bottling. It is sourced mostly from the Foley family’s estate vineyards, which are farmed by the family. The wine is bright, showing citrus and orchard-fruit tones with candied ginger and white flowers. A crunchy, juicy acidity drives the palate, balanced by plenty of richness, toasty oak, vanilla, and a touch of grilled pineapple on the lengthy finish.

White

2024

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Fruit sourced mostly from Trenton Vineyard in the heart of the Russian River Valley in the Laguna Ridge neighborhood. It bursts from the glass with watermelon, watermelon rind, and white peach. The wine has a creamy mid-palate balanced by zesty acid tension on the medium-bodied frame, layered with red florals and stony minerality. Fresh, clean, bright, and refreshing.

Rosé

2024

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Winemaker Jake Lachowitzer, formerly the assistant winemaker at Chalk Hill, took the reins in 2024. Grapes are whole-cluster pressed and fermented in stainless steel. The wine is incredibly aromatic thanks to the addition of small amounts of Muscat Canelli and Muscato Giallo, which contribute high-toned floral and honeysuckle notes. On the palate, everything comes together with a pop of saline acidity and fresh, ripe melon and mango, finishing bright with a chalky mineral edge.

Cristaldi Scores

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

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Dry Creek Vineyard

Fumé Blanc

Ferrari-Carano

Chardonnay

Ferrari-Carano

Dry Sangiovese Rosé

Monroy

Kick Ranch Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc

St. Francis Winery & Vineyards

Sauvignon Blanc

The Setting Wines

Sauvignon Blanc

Williams Selyem and Benovia Winery

Lot #40. 'Terra Rossa' Cohn Vineyard Pinot Noir

Piper Sonoma

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